Steam in the garden - a learning curve!

O

Old Tom

Registered
The Caradoc arrived and so I had to get outside and steam it:

87cac42facc34b8eafbd4213028da490.jpg


All ready to go. I used my 'Hornby Live Steam' distilled water, steam oil and gloves (just in case):

0a03a1467ff54fdfbf3015a61c2557b9.jpg


I had a couple of problems (a quick read of the description on the YouTube vid will tell you what happened) but in the end, all went well:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81qTmu-giFM

Real steam does make a mess of your perfect ballasting, doesn't it? Coal fired must be even worse!
 
The ballast is far too clean anyway ;)

Very nice!

One thing I will say, did you say you were using the Hornby steam oil? You might find it's a bit thin for the Accucraft locos, which are notoriously oil- thirsty. I think it's more a function of lubricator design than any any inadequacy of the cylinder design. I've no idea how thin the Hornby oil actually is, but judging by the size of the locos I'd guess "quite". Runs the risk of emptying the oil reservoir before you run out of gas you see, shouldn't really be a problem but probably better to be safe than sorry.

I'm trying to remember who does suitably thick steam oil now...
 
brianthesnail96 said:
The ballast is far too clean anyway ;)

Very nice!

One thing I will say, did you say you were using the Hornby steam oil? You might find it's a bit thin for the Accucraft locos, which are notoriously oil- thirsty. I think it's more a function of lubricator design than any any inadequacy of the cylinder design. I've no idea how thin the Hornby oil actually is, but judging by the size of the locos I'd guess "quite". Runs the risk of emptying the oil reservoir before you run out of gas you see, shouldn't really be a problem but probably better to be safe than sorry.

I'm trying to remember who does suitably thick steam oil now...
Click to expand...

Thanks for the heads up regarding thickness of oil Matt. I hadn't thought about that :(
I end up with a nice, thick emulsified residue coming out of the oil reservoir when it's finished steaming - does that mean the Hornby oil is OK or should I be seeing clean oil coming out? :nail:
 
Morris' steam oil is available direct from Morris', BUT you have to have 25ltr.:wits:

Of course that's 50 half ltrs which is a more sensible size, all you gotta do is find 49 other interested parties.
 
Rosco said:
http://www.chuffed2bits.com/ < Link To www.chuffed2bits.com sells Morris steam oil which really suits Accucraft locos. Hornby steam oil should be fine but as previously stated it is a bit thin.
Click to expand...
Thanks for that link Rosco, I see that they also sell some other very interesting stuff. Cheers!
 
Most outside layouts I've seen that have been down for any lengh of time, develop a coating of some description naturally. Mine is not painted has been down for about three years and nobody has commented adversly on its appearancs. Personally I wouldn't be brave enough to apply matt varnish to a brand new expensive loco. Anyway I like the shine, loogs good and I've seen gloss finished preserved locos
 
The track will weather quickly. The loco won't, but actually Accucraft's paint finish isn't as shiny as some of the others. I would suggest instead of repainting or varnishing the loco, instead adding some detailing e.g. lining, nameplates/ numberplates and so on.

Tag's book "Live Steam Workshop" (Atlantic Publishers) has lots of hints and tips on how to tart up (or down, as the case may be) a shiny new locomotive, to make it both more realistic and more personal.
 
jacobsgrandad said:
Most outside layouts I've seen that have been down for any lengh of time, develop a coating of some description naturally. Mine is not painted has been down for about three years and nobody has commented adversly on its appearancs. Personally I wouldn't be brave enough to apply matt varnish to a brand new expensive loco. Anyway I like the shine, loogs good and I've seen gloss finished preserved locos
Click to expand...


Certainly I would not recommend this. There are many things one can do to one's locomotive (and indeed railway) and all these things come with experience, learning and of course, personal preference. I nowadays mostly run coal and, like the prototype in the early days of steam when manpower was cheap, I try to keep them as clean as possible. My own labour you see is free. There is a very good reason for this of course. The combination of oil, ash and grit (and even garden detritus) makes for a very efficient grinding paste.
If i wanted a loco that looked as dirty as the ones I remember I would have it weathered (and still keep it clean). You will note that I said 'have it weathered' ? I am not an expert in this arcane art and do not want to spoil what is a very expensive model. My good friend Paul Fletcher was an expert at this and he weathered my Pearse 'Countess' to 'every day' clean and it really brought out the model. It looked superb.


Later on and maybe a couple of locos down the line, Tom may wish to repaint a locomotive to matt finish ? or not ? who can tell where this hobby will take us down the line a few years ? meanwhile just learn and enjoy the undoubted pleasure of live steam trains in the garden.


bestest


Tag
 
Tom, one word describes the video: Awsome!

On the operating side, it sounds like your burner is turned up too far. Try turning the gas valve down to the point where you can barely hear the burner. You should still generate plenty of steam, the safety will rarely pop off and your runs should be extended substantially.

As a result of frost heave problems, I'm in the process of re building my layout. After seeing your video, my inside track will be very close to yours in design.

Thanks,

Will
 
6f9e9f5e6eb74b66b0484bc816a275d9.jpg










Track can weather rather nicely with out too much intervention. Locomotives tak on a nice patina with use and general maintenance.
 
Thanks again everyone. I've learnt a lot since I did this vid (and built a new railway!).

The Caradoc will be having some cosmetic changes but not just yet - I'm too busy with other stuff :bigsmile:
 
Would love to see some photos of your stock Bill, while I can (grudgingly) accept that some people like their steam engines shiny, personally I'm a big fan of a bit of grime...
 
Old Tom said:
The Caradoc arrived and so I had to get outside and steam it:

images


All ready to go. I used my 'Hornby Live Steam' distilled water, steam oil and gloves (just in case):

images


I had a couple of problems (a quick read of the description on the YouTube vid will tell you what happened) but in the end, all went well:



Real steam does make a mess of your perfect ballasting, doesn't it? Coal fired must be even worse!
Click to expand...

I too have an Accucraft Caradoc loco. I use Pearse steam oil but i find oil all down the track after a run! Is your loco the same? Its certaintly an oily mess so i run the Caradoc on planks of wood! When i first got the loco, i used to run it on the garage floor and patio with very little steam oil being dumped along the track. Have you found this is the case?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top